<div> <div>Thai soap operas play a crucial social role in constructing political ideas of nationalism, Buddhism and morality. This mechanism, however, is not a stagnant process. The recent airing of a nationalistic soap has shown how Thai soaps adapt to changing political contexts. </div></div>

<p dir="ltr">Students from Chulalongkorn University have organised an event commemorating 6 October, viewing the 40th anniversary of the massacre as also inaugurating a new generation of student activists.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A physical theatre piece marking the 40th anniversary of 6 October has opened in Bangkok, exploring the mob mentality that sustained the event’s violence.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p>

<div> <div>Human rights advocates have attributed the junta’s recent order to cease trials of national security crimes in military courts to international pressure and the incapacity of military courts themselves, rather than the junta’s commitment to human rights.&nbsp;</div> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><img alt="" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7640/16637990197_bd2f6a0230.jpg" /></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>NCPO Head Order No. </div>

<div>A medical expert has revealed that Thailand could become a medical marijuana hub in the region if the drug is decriminalized. </div>

<p>The recent disrobing of Venerable Sermsak Thammasaro or “Monk Ti” for his dwarfism has spurred discussion about Thai Buddhism and discrimination. According to liberal Buddhist monk Venerable Phramaha Paiwan Warawunno, Monk Ti was disrobed because ordination of the disabled is against the Buddhist Vinaya. According to well-known religious scholar Surapot Thaweesak, Thai Buddhism tends to rule in favour of the clergy, and under the power of the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC), does not allow other parties to pass judgement on cases or issues that crop up.</p> <p></p>

<p dir="ltr">To amend woes in the new constitution, the Thai junta premier has once again enacted absolute power to issue an order aimed at patronising and protecting Buddhism and other faiths. However, experts warn the order could be used by the authorities as a license to suppress rights and liberty.</p> <p></p>

<div>In the aftermath of the 7 August referendum, junta supporters have strategically initiated efforts to ensure that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the current junta head, will be Thailand’s next ‘outsider’ Prime Minister.</div> <p></p>

<div> <div>A Thai political expert has speculated that the junta’s charter draft will be enacted for only five years before being torn down again by another coup d’etat. Another expert said voters made their decision based on political purpose, instead of the draft’s content.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>At a seminar on Thursday, 11 August 2016, lecturers from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science discussed the 7 August referendum results and the future direction of Thailand under the junta-backed constitution. </div></div>

<p>The resounding rejection of the junta-sponsored constitution by the Muslim majority in the restive Deep South reflects people’s attitudes towards the legitimacy of the military regime and disapproval of the draft charter. Experts point out both the regime and the charter are viewed as threats against the region’s unique ethno-religious identity.</p> <p></p>

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<div>An expert explained how the Myanmarese military took control of politics, which is similar to what the Thai military is trying to accomplish over the past 70 years, adding that when a military takes control of ‘the ring,’ politics is in trouble.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>On Thursday 28 July 2016, at Chulalongkorn University, Professor Robert H Taylor, a veteran expert in the military and politics of Myanmar was accompanied by Professor Surachat Bumrungsuk, an international relations professor at Chulalongkorn University, and Aung Thu Nyeen, a Myanmarese student at the National Institute </div>